Government of Canada Congratulates Miawpukek First Nation on Opening of New School

September 20, 2017 – Conne River, Newfoundland and Labrador – Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

The Federal Government is committed to working in partnership with First Nations to provide quality learning environments and to ensure equality of opportunity for First Nation students. These environments help celebrate Indigenous culture and are conducive to the academic success of First Nations youth.

We congratulate Miawpukek First Nation on the grand opening of their new school on September 20, 2017. Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’kuom (St. Anne’s School) is a state-of-the-art K4-12 facility, designed for over 180 students and will also include a dental clinic and a facility for the Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve (AHSOR) program.

Investments for this new school project have come from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada ($18.5 million), and Health Canada ($1.4 million).

Quotes

“This new state-of-the-art facility will not only provide a quality learning environment for the youth of the Miawpukek First Nation, it will have a positive impact for the entire community, with facilities accessible to all. Congratulations, Miawpukek First Nation, on the opening of your new school, Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’kuom (St. Anne’s School).”

The Honourable Jane Philpott, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous Services

“We are pleased to support this project in the community of Miawpukek. Co-locating education, dental care and early childhood programming under one roof creates a community hub for learning and wellness that will serve the people and youth of Miawpukek for many years to come.”

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health

“September 20, 2017 will forever be remembered by the residents of Miawpukek First Nation, as this date marks the official opening of our new school – Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’kuom, which will provide a quality learning environment and facilities to support our students and staff, and for use by the greater community.

Miawpukek First Nation’s education system has progressed dramatically since the original one-classroom school 1908. This was followed by a number of additions in 1943; 1960 and 2000 which did not meet our needs, but we made the best of what we had. For Miawpukek, the opening of a new, state-of-the-art school is one of our greatest achievements.

With support from our partners Indigenous and Northern Affairs & Health Canada, Miawpukek First Nation is able to better support families through the integration of the dental office and day care within the school.

It is our continued goal to provide the best possible services to our community by enhancing the lives of children and their families.”

Chief Mi’sel Joe,
Miawpukek First Nation

Quick Facts

• Budget 2016 will invest an additional $969.4 million over five years in First Nation education infrastructure, for the construction, repair and maintenance of First Nations school facilities as part of a long-term strategy to improve First Nations education infrastructure.
• The new school replaces a building that was originally built in 1908 with one classroom, and has undergone several additions since that time.

Associated Links

• Miawpukek First Nation
• First Nation Enhanced Education Infrastructure Fund
• Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve Program

Contacts

Andrew MacKendrick
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott
819-997-0002

INAC Media Relations
819-953-1160

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